26/4/2008 English Premier League Live - Manchester City vs Fulham

While the pre match attention has been on the crisis developing between Thaksin and Eriksson, this live commentary English Premier League match between Manchester City and Fulham will decide if Fulham can now start packing their bags for a return to the English League Championship after a season of struggles and disappointment. Roy Hodgson has tried his utmost to help save the club but even his hands are tied as the times have moved on beyond him and his tactics and strategies no longer work in the EPL and he also has limited quality players to work with, which has seen the club hardly winning a game under him since he took over. They will really need to take out their swords and go for the kill in this game as they really have nothing left to lose and should throw everything at this live commentary and online TV EPL game between Manchester City and Fulham including the kitchen sink in all attempts to win it.

Back to Thaksin and Eriksson for this live commentary and live streaming radio telecast English Premier League match between Manchester City and Fulham and the two are set to clash head on this weekend as they discuss what Thaksin's comments meant really and whether Eriksson will decide to leave the club before the chopper comes down on his head as Thaksin feels that he has not delivered anything to the club. But this season has still been good for the club despite fading in the second half of the season, which must be fairly part of the fault of injuries to key players. They have stumbled through the rest of the season but have still achieved a respectable position since the new manager took over and do not forget that the club was nearly relegated last season and the one before and has always lived in their neighbours' shadow but this season achieved an unlikely double over them thanks to Eriksson. The squad will need to forget about the internal problems and prepare for this live commentary and live streaming TV broadcast soccer match between Manchester City and Fulham and try to win another three points to end the season on a great note amidst the controversy.

5/4/2008 English Premier League Live - Manchester City vs Chelsea

Can Chelsea sustain a challenge on Manchester United's title just when they seem to have gotten into prime position to do so they are once again suffering from a little loss of form and this live commentary and radio broadcast soccer match between Manchester City and Chelsea in the English Premier League could not have come at a worse time for them after that strange defeat to Fenerbahce in midweek when they should have won instead. However, once again the pressure is on Avram Grant as his tactics were questioned and an inability to bring his players on a fightback for a positive result against the Turkish side. Players like Drogba, Terry and Ballack should also take responsibility for not pulling their weight and all of them looked apprehensive in the game and had it not been for bad luck on Zico's team, they might have walked away with a bigger margin of victory and certain European graveyard for Chelsea.

They will now have to look forward to this live commentary and live streaming TV telecast EPL game between Manchester City and Chelsea and not look too far forward to the next match which is the critical Champions League decider at Stamford Bridge against Fenerbahce. Chelsea should make sure they can win the league title first before anything else each season, and treat the Champions League as a bonus, as being Champions will allow you to automatically be in the CL every season and brings with it more honour. But there is no denying the fact that winning the CL is more glamourous and it will certainly prey on the minds of the players in this live commentary and live streaming radio broadcast clash between Manchester City and Chelsea in the English Premier League and if the Man City players learn how to take advantage of this distraction, they might achieve a 'double' of sorts by having beaten both Manchester United and Chelsea at the Stadium of Manchester Stadium in a season, which would be a huge achievement for their manager Sven Goran Eriksson.

16/3/2008 English Premier League - Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur

Manchester City has been in dreadful form of late and they are in for another tough match in this live online commentary match against Tottenham Hotspur as they might face a backlash from Spur's exit in the UEFA Cup at the hands of PSV Eindhoven. Certainly, Manchester City has looked nothing like the free flowing outfit at the start of the season where a mercurial Elano and dazzling Martin Petrov held the hoodoo over many a team, especially that of champions Manchester United. Unfortunately, their form has dipped alarmingly and if not for the early gathering of points, they might now be caught in a relegation battle. Sven Goran Eriksson has sounded the first alarm to the management by asking for more funds to build the squad following crucial injuries to key players like Micah Richards, which has left the team short of cover and results have shown. Petrov will also sit out this late Sunday game against Spurs after picking up a suspension and Eriksson will be worried as to who will provide Manchester City's supply line now that the superb crosser of the ball is out.

Spurs endured the same terrible misfortune that befell Everton in the UEFA Cup when they fought their way back into their tie only to fall at the final hurdle of a penalty shoot out. Juande Ramos might now advise some of his players to practise penalties for this live online commentary and radio telecast match between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur given how he was criticised for telling his players it was not necessary before the PSV game. However, Ramos is also his own man and it will actually be unthinkable if he was bothered by the media criticism. In his short time since arriving at White Hart Lane, he has transformed an underachieving club to potential world beaters and provided he reinforces the squad in the post season, there might be a possibility that Spurs will be a challenger in the EPL next season. Before that, they have the more immediate task of this live online commentary and radio telecast match between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur to deal with and Ramos will be looking for his players to put their disappointment behind and heap the pressure on Manchester City by extending their dismal run of form.

EPL 10/2/2008 - Manchester United vs Manchester City

This live commentary and play by play English Premier League soccer match today between Manchester United and Manchester City has hogged all the limelight and headlines across many sports pages today would be all about this game as it commemorates the tragic day of the air disaster that wiped out the legendary Manchester United Busby Babes. A really sad day in sports history and there has been much focus and worry on Manchester City fans spoiling the day by not keeping the minute's silence that would have to be observed prior to kickoff. It is a sad fact of life that many soccer fans are not really fans and just hidden hooligans and always determined to cause trouble. Even if you are a passionate fan of derby rival Manchester City, you should still respect the other team, its fans, and the club's history. Especially over an incident as sad and horrifying as the Busby Babes unfortunate accident. My advice as the Soccer Rag, would be to be a smart soccer fan and show some respect to the dead. After that, out sing and out cheer the Manchester United fans, because you know most of them would be on prawn sandwiches.

Unfortunately, as Manchester City fans, you would also need to enjoy cheering your team on in this live commentary and radio broadcast EPL match against Manchester United, because that would be about the only fun you would have tonight. There is a reason for Manchester United being favoured so highly for the game, and it is because they know that Manchester United would trounce the Mancurians in blue. The first meeting in which Manchester City carved out a fluke win was during early days when Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez had not forged an understanding, and even then, they absolutely ripped Dunne and Micah Richards apart. Tonight would see more of the same from Manchester United as, despite missing Rooney the Bully, they would still have Ronaldo and Tevez and the former would want to put behind his international choke job in midweek with Portugal, while the latter would want to continue putting on his circus act of a Mighty Mouse. To understand the extent of Ferguson's concern about the difficulty of winning this live commentary and TV telecast English Premier League soccer game against Manchester City, he is not even worried about having to field a new young striker at 17 years old from the start.

Manchester City would be facing a heavy defeat in this live commentary and radio broadcast soccer match in the English Premier League against Manchester United, as they face an inspired Red Devils who would be hoping to provide some relief for the grieving Busby Babes families and fans. Sven has been known to be a diplomatic and patrionising European gentleman from his days as England manager, and he will continue to do so today by providing Manchester United to an easy and comfortable result against his team, since Manchester City are not really playing for anything this season except pride and a UEFA Cup slot. Do not even think about the Champions League, Manchester City fans, for your team would be ripped apart if they qualify and should spend more effort ensuring Premier League survival in this live commentary and TV telecast EPL game against Manchester United.

EPL 2/2/2008 - Manchester City vs Arsenal

This exciting live commentary and play by play game between two English Premier League sides Manchester City and Arsenal could see some great attacking soccer being played as one team already has a bright array of attacking talents while the other one who is at home has started to garner a reputation for collecting strikers after adding Jermain Defoe and another young South American to their forward line in an attempt to take advantage of their bright forward play. This is due to their previously impotent forwards which they still have like someone known as Darius Vassell ex England international wow. Maybe Sven could reinvent him into a winger opposite of what happened with Thierry Henry who used to ply his trade for Manchester City's opponents today, Arsenal. Unfortunately if Vassell had half the brain of Henry it might have allowed him to stay with England for much longer than the few games he played under... Sven!


Arsenal on the other hand continue to try to plod on one minute they are brilliant in a live commentary and radio broadcast game against Newcastle, the next minute they are horrible against their bitter North London rivals Spurs. While beating Newcastle is not the best gauge of your abilities, but it helps to boost morale and in this tough battle against Manchester United and Chelsea for the English Premier League title, any win helps. Arsenal's top African beanpole striker Adebayour continues to impress and he seems to be the only one who has not lost any form, other than Frenchman Matthieu Flamini who is a real dynamo and even Arsene Wenger has praised his fellow countryman for having developed assurance on the final ball. While Fabregas and the others have struggled against fluctuating form and fitness, Flamini has proven to be a real water carrier who might become the next Didier Deschamps.


So the expectations are full of flowing beautiful soccer that would make the beautiful game proud to flaunt its stuff on the English Premier League stage in this live commentary and TV telecast game on Saturday between Manchester City and Arsenal. But the question remains as to who would walk away with the points. It might be a share of the spoils, or Arsenal might once again win to keep up the pressure on Manchester United. But it would most probably be the Manchester City Sven's boys squeezing out an upset win in their now own formidable home fortress and consign Arsenal to a morale sapping defeat in this live commentary and radio broadcast soccer match in the English Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal.

EPL 29/1/2008 - Derby vs Manchester City

This live commentary and play by play soccer game in the English Premier League between struggling Derby and high flying Manchester City looks to be a walkover for a Manchester City team eager to make up for their FA Cup debacle over the weekend by pummelling a shell shocked Rams and gaining a better foothold in the race for the fourth Champions League slot. However, Derby are at home in this game, and after sinking to the depths against Preston North End, it might seem difficult to sink any further, so perhaps the only way they can go is up and they might just pull off an upset tonight against Manchester City. Do not forget that Paul Jewell's signing have not had the time to play together much yet competitively so Preston might have taken advantage of that at the right time. With players like Robbie Savage, it would be time soon when things turn around and that could start with this game against Manchester City.

Manchester City on the other hand is still smarting from losing because of their own balloons left lying around on the pitch and as a result were on the wrong end of a shock FA Cup upset at the hands of a Bryan Robson team Sheffield United. That alone is quite an achievement in itself. On top of that they are playing away not at home, away from the comfort of their own stadium they are not that good. However, they do have the weapons to tear Derby apart with Elano and that Bulgarian winger so this live commentary and radio broadcast game might still turn out to be a total blowout with Derby losing by five or six goals.

However, we do see some signs of an upset and Derby might just sneak this, or Manchester City struggle to a goal win. But we do fancy our chances of an upset Derby win in this live commentary and radio broadcast English Premier League soccer game between Derby and Manchester City and perhaps a wonder goal from Robbie Savage to put his new team into the heavens with joy and delight. Or there might actually be many goals in this live commentary soccer match so an enjoyable match nonetheless to look forward to.

FA Cup 27/1/2008 - Sheffield United vs Manchester City

This live commentary and radio broadcast FA Cup match will feature Bryan Robson's Sheffield United trying to score an upset win at home against English Premier League high flyers Manchester City. Normally you would not associate the term high flyer with Manchester City, but this season they have stunned many with Sven Goran Eriksson carrying his new troops to the forefront and even scoring upset wins over illustrious rivals like Manchester United. They have been a force to be reckoned with especially at home, where most teams struggle to even get a point off Manchester City. Sven's shrewd transfers have contributed largely to this, with good buys such as Elano and Petrov who cost so much cheaper than most of Benitez's costly flops but perform way better and at a higher level.


With Bryan Robson, Sheffield United continues to exist in mediocrity and they should not have expected anything more with such a manager in charge and especially not too much from this live commentary and TV telecast FA Cup match between them and Manchester City. Bryan Robson has never shown himself to be a good manager except for a short time with Middlesbrough when money more or less compensated for his weak managerial skills. He was a great captain as a player, but strangely as a manager he has not been able to inspire many of his teams. Perhaps he has grown too big for his shoes, and has never educated himself properly on good tactics. He has also dabbled in lame transfers, and with Sheffield United without a brand name in club football, he cannot expect to achieve more. Sheffield United recently even lost to Sheffield Wednesday and that is a sign of mediocrity.


It is therefore a sign of things to come when we predict that Manchester City should overcome their away hoodoo and score a good win over Sheffield United in this live commentary and radio broadcast FA Cup soccer match. Bryan Robson has no motivational skills and even worse tactical skills, while Sven has actually shown to be quite a motivator after lifting a previously weak Manchester City team to lofty heights in the English Premier League. Therefore, anything other than a comfortable win in this live commentary and radio broadcast FA Cup soccer match will be expected from Manchester City against Sheffield United tonight.

EPL 20/1/2008 - Manchester City vs West Ham United

Now this live commentary and play by play soccer match between the two English Premier League (EPL) teams Manchester City at home and West Ham United away should be an extremely exciting one, if only for the fact that Manchester City is playing in front of their own fans and under Sven they are a flair attacking team with players like Elano and the Bulgarian winger who is fast, skilful and swings in a really fine cross for his strikers. Unfortunately their recent signing Nery Castillo is out after playing just a game although it is only a fractured shoulder bone so nothing too serious and should be back soon. Still, it shorns Manchester City of another striker and unless they can get one who can score regularly, otherwise they have to continue relying on their midfielders to put a few into the net.

West Ham United lost to the same opponent in midweek in the FA Cup and should be looking to avenge that defeat tonight but honestly I doubt they have any chance. They are similar to Middlesbrough in that they raise their game against the bigger teams but are just OK against the others. Still they have won a few more games than Boro so are considerably safe and I expect quite a number of goals in this live commentary and radio broadcast English Premier League game. Under Alan Curbishley they have become your everyday average mid table team and that should be sufficient not to mention the best you would ever get from any team under Curbishley. Safe but not great.

It should thus be another home win for Manchester City as they throttle West Ham United in this live commentary and tv telecast English Premier League soccer match. They have continued to do well at home and it is because of this that they should be safe from relegation and are even challenging for a Champions League place but honestly I doubt they have any chance of that and should be sufficiently satisfied with a season of consolidation under Sven. Perhaps next season you might see more of them if Sven continues to pull off a few surprises in the transfer market.

FA Cup 16/1/2008 - Manchester City vs West Ham

In the day's other FA Cup live commentary and play by play game to feature English Premier League (EPL) sides, Manchester City return to home comforts to face West Ham who have secretly been stringing a couple of good results surprisingly under Alan Curbishley whom I do not rate at all. He's a good manager but not as great as so many other British personalities make him out to be. Perhaps it is a case of best of the average and nothing more to offer from the British although I personally feel that David Moyes is an even better British manager than Curbishley. Anyway, back to the game, Sven Goran Eriksson was bitterly disappointed with his side's weekend display when they turned in another inpotent away display, leading to the Manchester City manager threatening to off-load some of the players for not pulling their weight. The strange thing is at home, Manchester City are a force to be reckoned with, totally different from when they were under Stuart Pearce. Then again, Sven has bought much better and his side has a decent attacking flair to it.

West Ham on the under hand carries the distinctive trademark of all Curbishley sides - stable and solid overall, defensive and basically boring on most counts except when their home support roar them on and when they face Manchester United. Unfortunately this is the other Manchester team and it isn't at Upton Park, so I think Manchester City will just about shade it for this live match broadcast.

EPL 2/1/2008 - Newcastle vs Manchester City

If Newcastle cannot beat the worst away team in the English Premier League next to Derby, Big Sam should get the sack and the team should be relegated. Yes, Liverpool didn't beat Manchester City either, but they had Elano in the team and they were at home. The Blues are dreadful away and their influential playmaker might be benched for a rest (Sven seems to be looking for his lost England touch), while world-class striker Emile Mpenza could be slated for a return?

Newcastle needs enfant terrible Joey Barton back in the team for an injection of hooligan heat - without him they can huff and puff all they want but even three little pigs could blow a house down faster than a crocked Michael Owen and bumbling Martins.

Big Sam has been exposed - it's a good thing he would never be considered for the England post. There are too many English managers like him - excel with average, budget-constrained teams because there are no high expectations, and then flop disastrously when they get all the money they want once hired by a larger and higher profile club. The reason is obvious - they are not good judges of quality players.

Anyway, that said, looks for Newcastle to come out storming for the first half and take a comfortable lead before getting rocked by Manchester City. Still, I can see the Magpies squeaking out a home win.

Manchester City vs Liverpool - Liverpool Inches Closer To Premier League Title

By one point and perhaps 5 seasons more, that is. Sure, they had enough chances and Richard Dunne was a giant for Manchester City, but Liverpool continues to be a team with an obvious lack of conviction. Until they get rid of the mental crutch, they will always flatter to deceive.

Before we go on, here are some highlights of the game:

You could see that it was virtually the team in red all the way. Better chances, faced less problems. But the rest of the team do not have the same self belief that possesses Steven Gerrard to drive himself to the ground each game (I have to give him credit for that), and this disability is dangerously close to driving the Kop's favoured boy away.

Benitez is a brilliant tactician - but it would seem this only works in Europe where the smarts can get you by. But in Britain, physical power and swagger are the additional ingredients required. I only have to point to Alex Ferguson's results to prove this. The reason why Queiroz has a place on the management is because Ferguson needs advice on the white board placing markers. But add to that Ferguson's famed man management and it is the reason why even third rate players like Darren Fletcher wins Championship medals while Steven Gerrard sticks to Cup wins.

Santa Is A Blackburn Fan

Roque Santa Cruz delivered some late presents to the little town club Blackburn, as he knocked the stuffing out of Manchester City. Just as the Manchester City owner Thaksin's own country authorities said he will be sent to prison if he ever steps foot again in Thailand, his team experienced some of that door slammed shut in their face feeling, with Santa scoring two goals to pull them back level.

Still, I don't see Manchester City slipping up this weekend against Liverpool. The Anfield side is still poor (in more ways than one) and Benitez looks no closer to having ANY clue of making Liverpool an English champion. Sure, he knows a thing or two about cup football, but unless he wants to tell his team that every game in the EPL is a cup final, be prepared to see more experimentation (shooting in the dark) and issuing threats of leaving the club if they do not throw him more money to flush down the drains with 8 flop purchases out of 10.

Does Sven Really Have The Midas Touch?

Caught this other game on Saturday, and Arsenal got really lucky with that unimpressive win. While they did bombard little Schmeichel with shots from all angles, he made some of his work look more tedious than it actually was. True, he rode his luck too on more than one occasion, but as they always say, luck favours the brave!

What really got me thinking was that Manchester City more than held their own with some terrific quick-fire raids on the Arsenal defence. Obviously, it has been said already that Sven seems to have totally changed his approach compared to when he was with England, and many wondered if this could really be true.

But if you had seen Sven's Lazio of years gone by, you would know that his tepid play with England was due more to his ever willingness to please the media, public and players. Doing so meant sacrificing verve and attacking football for results. Now, back with an underdog team (let's face it, Manchester City fans - your team is not great... now), it has allowed him to build his own imprint - he has loaded the team with pace and intelligent movement.

Now, if he can lift the team after the morale-sapping Emirates Stadium defeat and keep his pants on, I am sure you will see more of the blue half of Manchester this season.